The development of the first suit of advanced power armor, designated X-01, began shortly before the Great War. The first test batch of the armor, designated X-01 Mk I, was developed for Presidential bodyguards,[1] and served as the baseline for the remnants of the United States military, who developed it into a power armor tailored for the post-War wasteland.[2][3] It represented a radical, new approach to designing powered armor, eschewing traditional armor design philosophies,[4] but was never deployed in larger quantities until the 23rd century. Work on the model was restarted by the Enclave in 2198, although it wasn't until 2215 that the research efforts began in earnest under Presidential mandate, with the first production model created in 2220.[4]

The X-01 advanced powered infantry combat armor is designed for a single human operator, provided with the comfort and protection of a next-generation suit of armor. While the T-51 power armor relied on a lightweight poly-laminate composite shell for protection, the advanced model uses lightweight metal alloys as basis, reinforced with ceramic castings at key points. The resulting space savings allowed for reducing the armor's profile without compromising protection. Classic power armor pauldrons were retired in favor of a hump that encloses the operator's head, significantly reducing the chance of enemy fire damaging the vital areas surrounding the head. Perhaps the most noticeable change was a completely new helmet assembly. The unusal, insect-like design features a pair of polarized eyepieces in place of the usual vision slit, providing superior battlefield awareness. Its angled surfaces also help maximize the chance of outright deflecting projectiles and incoming fire.[5]

The basic hydraulics system and servo-motors that provide the operator with enhanced strength are also high quality models, with improved performance as opposed to the original T-51b.[5] Additional features include an auto-gyro and the ability to lock them in position, allowing the suit to be stored upright (or the operator to take a nap while on guard duty),[6] an air conditioning system for comfort,[7] a radio headset[8], and an urine-recycling system carried over from the T-51b, allowing the operator to survive for weeks without water.[9]

The combination of superior protection, mobility, and strength gave the Enclave a considerable advantage over wastelanders. Enclave's insignia was proudly worn on the breastplates of armors,[10] while rank indicators were typically placed on the arms of the suit.[11] However, while it was considerably powerful, it was not invincible. The Enclave's confidence in its technological superiority allowed the Chosen One to infiltrate Control station Enclave without problem thanks to the assumption that only Enclave troops would wear these suits. More importantly, the garrison at Navarro was defeated by New California Republic troops using conventional weapons and armor, thanks to superior numbers and tactics.[12]

The most advanced power armor variant in the wasteland is the Hellfire powered combat infantry armor, developed basing on regular power armor designs. After pooling resources from concurrent, cancelled projects into the Hellfire project, Enclave researchers at Adams AFB developed the heaviest, most powerful suit of armor in the wasteland.[14]

The design of the Hellfire focuses on survivability and durability. Due to the thickness and amount of armor, it does not feature angled or rounded armor to maximize the comfort of the operator and avoid limiting internal space. The back-mounted power pack is piped into the superpowered servo-motors using multiple redundant power cables on the armor, allowing the operator to use the Hellfire with surprising amount of agility, surpassing even the Mark II. The characteristic pig's snout helmet completes the protective assembly with its thick armor and heavy-set design, maximizing protection.[15]

As the Hellfire is a young model, it has not managed to replace the Mark II entirely. Instead, the Enclave High Command deploys them in a supporting role for troops wearing standard issue advanced power armor, or providing them to commanders of elite units, like Enclave Squad Sigma.[16]

The Hellfire has the same DR as the T-51b power armor and high durability, and boasts the added benefit of +30 Fire resistance and +1 Strength. The only drawback is that the helmet gives a penalty to Charisma, while the T-51b's does the opposite.

However, the Hellfire can be repaired with other Hellfire armors, whereas the unique T-51b can only be fixed by merchants. The fact that Enclave troops wearing the Hellfire are somewhat uncommon does reduce the appeal, but that should not discourage. It makes excellent armor for companions, as it does not degrade when worn by them. When combined with the extra companions glitch, it will allow you to storm across the wasteland with one mean squad (assuming you can find enough suits).

Note that the armor, as DLC material, cannot be turned in to Casdin for his quest.

If the player has a set of 100% repaired armor on themselves and another in their inventory (any repair level), any damage and loss in DR will occur with the stored set, rather than the worn one, allowing for wearing essentially indestructible armor.

↑Fallout 4 loading screen hints: "The X-01 series of Power Armor was specially engineered and employed by remnants of the U.S. military after the Great War, and offers increased protection over the older, pre-war models."

↑ 4.04.1Fallout Bible 0:"2055 The West Tek Research Facility starts working on a new virus to kill the New Plague. Their viral research and close ties to the federal government eventually lead to them being chosen for the Pan-Immunity Virion Project twenty years later as well as Power Infantry Armor and laser research.2065 August Increasing need for mobility in the United States mechanized cavalry leads the military to focus the efforts on creating a man-based tank - essentially, a two-legged walking armored unit: Power Armor.2065-2067 Power Armor research grows and several prototypes are developed, many of which prove to be unworkable in the field. These prototypes pave the way for future advances in military, construction, and fusion technology.2066 Summer Adding further insult to the Chinese-American relations, the first crude fusion cell is unveiled, one of the results of the Power Armor project. Devices designed for the fusion cell begin to be manufactured. Incorporating fusion power into the general US infrastructure begins, but the process is too slow to supply power to the regions that need it. Nearly eleven years later, few sections of the United States were supplied with fusion power.2067 The first suit of Power Armor is deployed in Alaska. While lacking the full mobility of future versions, this Power Armor is incredibly effective against Chinese tanks and infantry. Its ability to carry heavy ordinance becomes key in various localized conflicts, and it has the power to destroy entire towns without endangering the wearer. China rushes to create its own versions, but they are many years behind the United States."2074 Contrary to their claims of seeking only to retake Alaska from the Reds, American Power Armor units, infantry, and mechanized divisions are deployed to China, but they become bogged down on the mainland, putting a further drain on American resources and supply lines.2076 June Power Armor prototype completed, resulting in the Power Armor players find in Fallout 1. This is the pinnacle of Power Armor technology before the Great War. Many of these units are sent to China, and they begin to carve a swath through the Chinese forces. The Chinese resources are strained to the breaking point, and the supply lines from the nations China has annexed begin to break down.2077 January 22 The first domestic use of Power Armor within the United States for crowd and quarantine control. Units originally serving in China and the Anchorage Front Line find themselves fighting Americans at home. Food riots increase, and many civilians are killed. Several soldiers defect from the military both in Canada and the United States. They are captured, and are sent to military prisons.2198 Enclave works on various new technologies, including Power Armor variations. None of these are much of an improvement over the conventional old school Power Armor, and some are actually worse.2215 Under Presidential Order, Enclave scientists begin to work on an upgraded version of Power Armor. Many prototypes are developed and tested.2220 October Enclave scientists develop a reliable version of the Mark II Power Armor. The prototype results (and accidents... and explosions... and deaths) are classified by order of the President Richardson for the sake of morale."

↑Fallout 2 Official Strategies & Secrets p.215: Tip"To make time pass more quickly, just access your Pip-Boy, set the alarm, and rest for six hours. The Sarge won't mind if you take a little snooze. Besides, inside your Power Armor, no one can tell that your eyes are closed. Just make sure you power up the auto-gyro and lock the suit's knees in position before you catch any Zs."

↑Wright child: "{191}{}{How do you go pee-pee in that thing?}"The Chosen One: "{459}{}{Heh-heh. Actually, I just urinate in the armor, and it recycles everything. Isn't that interesting? Do you know what 'recycling' means, little one?}"(NcWriChi.msg)

↑Enclave soldier: "{102}{}{You see someone wearing power armor of an unusual design. There is an insignia on the breastplate that you are unfamiliar with.}"(Ccgrdpa.msg)

↑Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.41: "The EnclaveIn the recent past, the Enclave—the remains of the United States government—were evacuated to an oil rig off the coast of California. Little is known about what happened to these forces, although the country has a new commander-in-chief: President John Henry Eden. However, recent reports and chatter have pinpointed the resurgence of the Enclave, with their base centered on a secure underground facility known as Raven Rock. Initial contact was made there 35 years ago.During this time, the new President Eden has been slowly rebuilding his resources, thanks in part to the technology already available at the Raven Rock military base. Vertibirds, weapons, and robots were easy to construct, but human followers were more difficult to find. The answer was to rely on Colonel Autumn, who controls the Enclave soldier forces, as well as creating a propaganda-spewing series of Eyebots sent to roam the Wasteland, spreading hope. Eden could spout his pro-government rhetoric, and promise a return of the pre-war America of legend: a land of white picket fences, baseball, apple pie, and good, old-fashioned American global supremacy.President Eden's secretive plan all along has been to rule over an America of the "pure," free from any mutation. He has learned of a ridiculously ambitious experiment known as Project Purity, and knew the time to strike had come: His Enclave forces would "reclaim" the Jefferson Memorial. By controlling the purified water, Eden would control the Capital Wasteland, and the rest of the country eventually. What better way to administer modified F.E.V.- which kills anyone infected with any form of mutation-than through the water supply?"(Fallout 3 Official Game Guide faction profiles)

↑Whitley: "All due respect sir, I think you're making a mistake. We're close to a breakthrough with the Duraframe Eyebots, I can feel it!Yes, sir.Yes sir, I understand that we need the Duraframe assets for Hellfire armor, but-No, sir. Yes, sir. I understand, sir. I'll tell the team to start disassembling the ED series prototypes right away. ED-E, you little rascal. Were you eavesdropping again? I think those videos you watch are a bad influence on you. How much of that did you hear?"ED-E: "<Sad beeping>"Whitley: "Hmm... didn't Dr. Grant say she'd upgraded your navigational systems? I think I have an idea.... How'd you like to be just like RALPHIE?"(Whitley's dialogue)

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